The Knicks enter this season as legitimate title contenders.
Don’t take my word for it. Knicks icon Walt “Clyde” Frazier sees it, too. The Hall of Fame player and dresser was among the best players on both of the Knicks’ championship teams in the 1970s and is now the Knicks’ longtime commentator. He was at Fanatics Fest NYC on a Knicks panel with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and others and had this to say: by Zach Braziller of the New York Post.
“I see the vibes,” Frazier said Friday. “I see a lot of similarities with [our] championship teams, starting with the coach. [Tom Thibodeau] is a lot like Red Holzman. He holds guys accountable, they’re defensive-oriented, and the players really like each other.
“I think this is going to be our year. Obviously, health is going to play a big part. But if the Knicks can stay healthy, I think we can get back to the greatness we were.”
Things are going to be tight at the top of the East next season. Boston remains the team to beat, they were clearly the best team in the league last season, won the title and are back in the top 7. Philadelphia might take a while to settle in, but with Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, they are a threat to win it all (if Embiid and George are healthy for the playoffs). The Knicks, with Mikal Bridges in the fold, are in that top 3 mix, with Milwaukee and Orlando is hiding right behind.
This year, Knicks fans are under no illusion that their team can compete with anyone – they are in the title race.
It’s been a marathon season, and any team that wins a title needs a little luck and a few breaks to go their way, but Frazier pulled this one off.
This could be the year the Knicks return to their former greatness.
